U.S. patent application number 13/328487 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-20 for display of graphical representations.
This patent application is currently assigned to NOKIA CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Erich Jose Martino Pena, Joseph Phillips. Invention is credited to Erich Jose Martino Pena, Joseph Phillips.
Application Number | 20130159899 13/328487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48611561 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130159899 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martino Pena; Erich Jose ;
et al. |
June 20, 2013 |
DISPLAY OF GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIONS
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are herein
provided for improved display of graphical representations during
reordering. A method may include receiving user input directed at a
first graphical representation on a display. The method may further
include causing, by a processor, enlargement in size of the first
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the user input. The method may further include causing reduction in
size of at least a second graphical representation on the display
in response to receiving the user input, wherein at least one of
the at least one second graphical representation is displayed
adjacent to the first graphical representation. Corresponding
apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.
Inventors: |
Martino Pena; Erich Jose;
(London, GB) ; Phillips; Joseph; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Martino Pena; Erich Jose
Phillips; Joseph |
London
London |
|
GB
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
NOKIA CORPORATION
Espoo
FI
|
Family ID: |
48611561 |
Appl. No.: |
13/328487 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/765 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04842 20130101;
G06F 3/0486 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 2203/04806
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/765 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving user input directed at a first
graphical representation on a display; causing, by a processor,
enlargement in size of the first graphical representation on the
display in response to receiving the user input; and causing
reduction in size of at least a second graphical representation on
the display in response to receiving the user input, wherein at
least one of the at least one second graphical representation is
displayed adjacent to the first graphical representation.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: receiving
second user input indicating a desire to move the first graphical
representation on the display, wherein the second user input
indicates a change in position of the first graphical
representation from a first position to a second position on the
display; and causing the first graphical representation to move on
the display from the first position to the second position in
response to receiving the second user input.
3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising causing at
least one third graphical representation to move on the display in
response to receiving the second user input such that a space on
the display appears in the second position, wherein at least one of
the at least one third graphical representation is moved on the
display out of the second position.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the space defines a
size at least as large as the first graphical representation.
5. The method according to claim 3 further comprising causing
alteration of the size of the at least one third graphical
representation in response to receiving the second user input.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein causing reduction in
size of the at least one third graphical representation comprises
reducing the size of the at least one third graphical
representation an amount based at least in part on the inverse
proportional distance on the display from the at least one third
graphical representation to the space.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein causing reduction in
size of the at least one second graphical representation comprises
reducing the size of the at least one second graphical
representation an amount based at least in part on the inverse
proportional distance on the display from the at least one second
graphical representation to the first graphical representation.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the graphical
representation corresponds to at least one of an application, a
media file, a document, or picture.
9. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory including
computer program code, the memory and the computer program code
configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to: receive
user input directed at a first graphical representation on a
display; cause enlargement in size of the first graphical
representation on the display in response to receiving the user
input; and cause reduction in size of at least a second graphical
representation on the display in response to receiving the user
input, wherein at least one of the at least one second graphical
representation is displayed adjacent to the first graphical
representation.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory and the computer
program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause
the apparatus to: receive second user input indicating a desire to
move the first graphical representation on the display, wherein the
second user input indicates a change in position of the first
graphical representation from a first position to a second position
on the display; and cause the first graphical representation to
move on the display from the first position to the second position
in response to receiving the second user input.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the memory and the
computer program code are further configured to, with the
processor, cause the apparatus to cause at least one third
graphical representation to move on the display in response to
receiving the second user input such that a space on the display
appears in the second position, wherein at least one of the at
least one third graphical representation is moved on the display
out of the second position.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the space defines
a size at least as large as the first graphical representation.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the memory and the
computer program code are further configured to, with the
processor, cause the apparatus to cause alteration of the size of
the at least one third graphical representation in response to
receiving the second user input.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the memory and the
computer program code are further configured to, with the
processor, cause the apparatus to cause reduction in size of the at
least one third graphical representation by reducing the size of
the at least one third graphical representation an amount based at
least in part on the inverse proportional distance on the display
from the at least one third graphical representation to the
space.
15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the memory and the
computer program code are further configured to, with the
processor, cause the apparatus to cause reduction in size of the at
least one second graphical representation by reducing the size of
the at least one second graphical representation an amount based at
least in part on the inverse proportional distance on the display
from the at least one second graphical representation to the first
graphical representation.
16. Computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer
readable medium having program code portions means stored thereon,
the program code portions being a computer readable medium and
configured when said program product is run on a computer or
network device, to: receive user input directed at a first
graphical representation on a display; cause enlargement in size of
the first graphical representation on the display in response to
receiving the user input; and cause reduction in size of at least a
second graphical representation on the display in response to
receiving the user input, wherein at least one of the at least one
second graphical representation is displayed adjacent to the first
graphical representation.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the program
code portions are further configured when said program product is
run on a computer or network device, to: receive second user input
indicating a desire to move the first graphical representation on
the display, wherein the second user input indicates a change in
position of the first graphical representation from a first
position to a second position on the display; and cause the first
graphical representation to move on the display from the first
position to the second position in response to receiving the second
user input.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the program
code portions are further configured when said program product is
run on a computer or network device, to cause at least one third
graphical representation to move on the display in response to
receiving the second user input such that a space on the display
appears in the second position, wherein at least one of the at
least one third graphical representation is moved on the display
out of the second position.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the space
defines a size at least as large as the first graphical
representation.
20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the program
code portions are further configured when said program product is
run on a computer or network device, to cause alteration in size of
the at least one third graphical representation in response to
receiving the second user input.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0001] Example embodiments of the present invention relate
generally to user interface technology and, more particularly,
relate to methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for
improved display of graphical representations, such as during
reordering of graphical representations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The modem communications era has brought about a tremendous
expansion of wireline and wireless networks. Wireless and mobile
networking technologies have addressed related consumer demands,
while providing more flexibility and immediacy of information
transfer. Concurrent with the expansion of networking technologies,
an expansion in computing power has resulted in development of
affordable computing devices capable of taking advantage of
services made possible by modem networking technologies. This
expansion in computing power has led to a reduction in the size of
computing devices and given rise to a new generation of mobile
devices that are capable of performing functionality that only a
few years ago required processing power that could be provided only
by the most advanced desktop computers. Consequently, mobile
computing devices having a small form factor have become ubiquitous
and are used to access network applications and services by
consumers of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
[0003] Increased functionality of mobile computing devices has
enabled mobile computing devices to store and perform many
functions (e.g., applications, documents, media files, pictures,
etc.). Additionally, mobile computing devices have developed
display formats that show graphical representations (e.g., icons)
of these functions. An example display format for graphical
representations of applications is often referred to as a
homescreen.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods,
apparatuses, and computer program products for improved display of
graphical representations during reordering. In one example
embodiment, a method includes receiving user input directed at a
first graphical representation on a display. The method further
includes causing, by a processor, enlargement in size of the first
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the user input. The method further includes causing reduction in
size of at least a second graphical representation on the display
in response to receiving the user input, wherein at least one of
the at least one second graphical representation is displayed
adjacent to the first graphical representation.
[0005] In another example embodiment, an apparatus comprising at
least one processor and at least one memory storing computer
program code, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer
program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to
cause the apparatus to receive user input directed at a first
graphical representation on a display. The at least one memory and
stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one
processor, to further cause enlargement in size of the first
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the user input. The at least one memory and stored computer program
code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further
cause reduction in size of at least a second graphical
representation on the display in response to receiving the user
input, wherein at least one of the at least one second graphical
representation is displayed adjacent to the first graphical
representation.
[0006] In another example embodiment, a computer program product is
provided. The computer program product of this example embodiment
includes at least one computer-readable storage medium having
computer-readable program instructions stored therein. The program
instructions of this example embodiment comprise program
instructions configured to cause an apparatus to perform a method
comprising receiving user input directed at a first graphical
representation on a display. The method further includes causing
enlargement in size of the first graphical representation on the
display in response to receiving the user input. The method further
includes causing reduction in size of at least a second graphical
representation on the display in response to receiving the user
input, wherein at least one of the at least one second graphical
representation is displayed adjacent to the first graphical
representation.
[0007] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The
apparatus comprises means for receiving user input directed at a
first graphical representation on a display. The apparatus further
includes a means for causing enlargement in size of the first
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the user input. The apparatus further includes a means for causing
reduction in size of at least a second graphical representation on
the display in response to receiving the user input, wherein at
least one of the at least one second graphical representation is
displayed adjacent to the first graphical representation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Having thus described embodiments of the invention in
general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus with a
user interface according to an example embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal
according to an example embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate example user inputs (e.g., gestures)
indicating desired operation of a function on an apparatus, such as
the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with example
embodiments described herein;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an example display for an apparatus, such
as the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the display
includes graphical representations of applications for the
apparatus, in accordance with example embodiments described
herein;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates another example display for an apparatus,
such as the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the display
includes graphical representations arranged in alphabetical order
(e.g., "A"-"T"), in accordance with example embodiments described
herein;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5,
wherein a user selects a graphical representation "G", in
accordance with example embodiments described herein;
[0015] FIG. 6A illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6,
wherein the graphical representation "G" is enlarged in size, in
accordance with example embodiments described herein;
[0016] FIG. 6B illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6,
wherein the graphical representation "G" is enlarged in size and
some of the other graphical representations are reduced in size in
an amount proportional to their distance away from graphical
representation "G", in accordance with example embodiments
described herein;
[0017] FIG. 6C illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6,
wherein the graphical representation "G" is enlarged in size and
some of the other graphical representations are reduced in size in
an amount inversely proportional to their distance away from
graphical representation "G", in accordance with example
embodiments described herein;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6,
wherein the user has moved the graphical representation "G" toward
a new position, in accordance with example embodiments described
herein;
[0019] FIG. 7A illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6,
wherein the user has moved the graphical representation "G" into
the new position, in accordance with example embodiments described
herein;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6,
wherein the user has released the graphical representation "G" into
the new position, in accordance with example embodiments described
herein;
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart according to an example
method for improved display of graphical representations during
reordering, in accordance with example embodiments described
herein; and
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart according to another example
method for improved display of graphical representations during
reordering, in accordance with example embodiments described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be
described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention
are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like
reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0024] As used herein, the terms "data," "content," "information"
and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to singular
or plural data capable of being transmitted, received, displayed
and/or stored in accordance with various example embodiments. Thus,
use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and
scope of the disclosure.
[0025] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any medium configured to participate in providing information to a
processor, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may
take many forms, including, but not limited to a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media,
volatile media), and transmission media. Transmission media
include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic
cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires
or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves,
including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include
man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase,
polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the
transmission media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable
media include a magnetic computer readable medium (e.g., a floppy
disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium), an
optical computer readable medium (e.g., a compact disc read only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-Ray disc, or
the like), a random access memory (RAM), a programmable read only
memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a
FLASH-EPROM, or any other non-transitory medium from which a
computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is
used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except
transmission media. However, it will be appreciated that where
embodiments are described to use a computer-readable storage
medium, other types of computer-readable mediums may be substituted
for or used in addition to the computer-readable storage medium in
alternative embodiments.
[0026] Additionally, as used herein, the term `circuitry` refers to
(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in
analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of
circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or
firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable
memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or
more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for
example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s),
that require software or firmware for operation even if the
software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of
`circuitry` applies to all uses of this term herein, including in
any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term
`circuitry` also includes an implementation comprising one or more
processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software
and/or firmware. As another example, the term `circuitry` as used
herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or
applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a
similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device,
other network device, and/or other computing device.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 102 for
facilitating interaction with a user interface according to an
example embodiment. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 102
is provided as an example of one embodiment and should not be
construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the invention in any
way. In this regard, the scope of the disclosure encompasses many
potential embodiments in addition to those illustrated and
described herein. As such, while FIG. 1 illustrates one example of
a configuration of an apparatus for facilitating interaction with a
user interface, other configurations may also be used to implement
embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] The apparatus 102 may be embodied as either a fixed device
or a mobile device such as a desktop computer, laptop computer,
mobile terminal, mobile computer, mobile phone, mobile
communication device, game device, digital camera/camcorder,
audio/video player, television device, radio receiver, digital
video recorder, positioning device, a chipset, a computing device
comprising a chipset, any combination thereof, and/or the like. In
this regard, the apparatus 102 may comprise any computing device
that comprises or is in operative communication with a touch
display capable of displaying a graphical user interface. In some
example embodiments, the apparatus 102 is embodied as a mobile
computing device, such as the mobile terminal illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0029] In this regard, FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a
mobile terminal 10 representative of one example embodiment of an
apparatus 102. It should be understood, however, that the mobile
terminal 10 illustrated and hereinafter described is merely
illustrative of one type of apparatus 102 that may implement and/or
benefit from various example embodiments of the invention and,
therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the
disclosure. While several embodiments of the electronic device are
illustrated and will be hereinafter described for purposes of
example, other types of electronic devices, such as mobile
telephones, mobile computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming devices,
positioning devices, tablet computers, televisions, e-papers, and
other types of electronic systems, may employ various embodiments
of the invention.
[0030] As shown, the mobile terminal 10 may include an antenna 12
(or multiple antennas 12) in communication with a transmitter 14
and a receiver 16. The mobile terminal 10 may also include a
processor 20 configured to provide signals to and receive signals
from the transmitter and receiver, respectively. The processor 20
may, for example, be embodied as various means including circuitry,
one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal
processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying
digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more
multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing
circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements
including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC
(application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field
programmable gate array), or some combination thereof. Accordingly,
although illustrated in FIG. 2 as a single processor, in some
embodiments the processor 20 comprises a plurality of processors.
These signals sent and received by the processor 20 may include
signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard
of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different
wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not
limited to Wi-Fi, wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques
such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
802.11, 802.16, and/or the like. In addition, these signals may
include speech data, user generated data, user requested data,
and/or the like. In this regard, the mobile terminal may be capable
of operating with one or more air interface standards,
communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the
like. More particularly, the mobile terminal may be capable of
operating in accordance with various first generation (1G), second
generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G) communication
protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, Internet
Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols (e.g.,
session initiation protocol (SIP)), and/or the like. For example,
the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with
2G wireless communication protocols IS-136 (Time Division Multiple
Access (TDMA)), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM),
IS-95 (Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)), and/or the like.
Also, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating
in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols General
Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE),
and/or the like. Further, for example, the mobile terminal may be
capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless communication
protocols such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband
Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous
Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and/or the like. The
mobile terminal may be additionally capable of operating in
accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols such as Long
Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
Network (E-UTRAN) and/or the like. Additionally, for example, the
mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with
fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols and/or the
like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may
be developed in the future.
[0031] Some Narrow-band Advanced Mobile Phone System (NAMPS), as
well as Total Access Communication System (TACS), mobile terminals
may also benefit from embodiments of this invention, as should dual
or higher mode phones (e.g., digital/analog or TDMA/CDMA/analog
phones). Additionally, the mobile terminal 10 may be capable of
operating according to Wi-Fi or Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access (WiMAX) protocols.
[0032] It is understood that the processor 20 may comprise
circuitry for implementing audio/video and logic functions of the
mobile terminal 10. For example, the processor 20 may comprise a
digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an
analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and/or
the like. Control and signal processing functions of the mobile
terminal may be allocated between these devices according to their
respective capabilities. The processor may additionally comprise an
internal voice coder (VC) 20a, an internal data modem (DM) 20b,
and/or the like. Further, the processor may comprise functionality
to operate one or more software programs (e.g., applications),
which may be stored in memory. For example, the processor 20 may be
capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser.
The connectivity program may allow the mobile terminal 10 to
transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content,
according to a protocol, such as Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and/or the like. The
mobile terminal 10 may be capable of using a Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to transmit and receive web
content across the internet or other networks.
[0033] The mobile terminal 10 may also comprise a user interface
including, for example, an earphone or speaker 24, a ringer 22, a
microphone 26, a display 28, a user input interface, and/or the
like, which may be operationally coupled to the processor 20. In
this regard, the processor 20 may comprise user interface circuitry
configured to control at least some functions of one or more
elements of the user interface, such as, for example, the speaker
24, the ringer 22, the microphone 26, the display 28, and/or the
like. The processor 20 and/or user interface circuitry comprising
the processor 20 may be configured to control one or more functions
of one or more elements of the user interface through computer
program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a
memory accessible to the processor 20 (e.g., volatile memory 40,
non-volatile memory 42, and/or the like). Although not shown, the
mobile terminal may comprise a battery for powering various
circuits related to the mobile terminal, for example, a circuit to
provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output. The display 28
of the mobile terminal may be of any type appropriate for the
electronic device in question with some examples including a plasma
display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a
light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode display
(OLED), a projector, a holographic display or the like. The display
28 may, for example, comprise a three-dimensional touch display,
examples of which will be described further herein below. The user
input interface may comprise devices allowing the mobile terminal
to receive data, such as a keypad 30, a touch display (e.g., some
example embodiments wherein the display 28 is configured as a touch
display), a joystick (not shown), and/or other input device. In
embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may comprise numeric
(0-9) and related keys (#, *), and/or other keys for operating the
mobile terminal 10. Alternatively or additionally, the keypad 30
may include a conventional QWERTY keypad arrangement.
[0034] The mobile terminal 10 may comprise memory, such as a
subscriber identity module (SIM) 38, a removable user identity
module (R-UIM), and/or the like, which may store information
elements related to a mobile subscriber. In addition to the SIM,
the mobile terminal may comprise other removable and/or fixed
memory. The mobile terminal 10 may include volatile memory 40
and/or non-volatile memory 42. For example, volatile memory 40 may
include Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static
RAM, on-chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like.
Non-volatile memory 42, which may be embedded and/or removable, may
include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic
storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic
tape, etc.), optical disc drives and/or media, non-volatile random
access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. Like volatile memory 40
non-volatile memory 42 may include a cache area for temporary
storage of data. The memories may store one or more software
programs, instructions, pieces of information, data, and/or the
like which may be used by the mobile terminal for performing
functions of the mobile terminal. For example, the memories may
comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment
identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying the
mobile terminal 10.
[0035] Returning to FIG. 1, in an example embodiment, the apparatus
102 includes various means for performing the various functions
herein described. These means may comprise one or more of a
processor 110, memory 112, communication interface 114, user
interface 116, or user interface (UI) control circuitry 122. The
means of the apparatus 102 as described herein may be embodied as,
for example, circuitry, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably
programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the
like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable
program instructions (e.g., software or firmware) stored on a
computer-readable medium (e.g. memory 112) that is executable by a
suitably configured processing device (e.g., the processor 110), or
some combination thereof.
[0036] In some example embodiments, one or more of the means
illustrated in FIG. 1 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In
other words, the apparatus 102 may comprise one or more physical
packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires
on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural
assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size,
and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry
included thereon. In this regard, the processor 110, memory 112,
communication interface 114, and/or UI control circuitry 122 may be
embodied as a chip or chip set. The apparatus 102 may therefore, in
some cases, be configured to or may comprise component(s)
configured to implement embodiments of the present invention on a
single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some
cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or
more operations for providing the functionalities described herein
and/or for enabling user interface navigation with respect to the
functionalities and/or services described herein.
[0037] The processor 110 may, for example, be embodied as various
means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying
digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an
accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors,
one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers,
processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other
processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for
example, an ASIC or FPGA, one or more other types of hardware
processors, or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although
illustrated in FIG. 1 as a single processor, in some embodiments
the processor 110 comprises a plurality of processors. The
plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each
other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more
functionalities of the apparatus 102 as described herein. The
plurality of processors may be embodied on a single computing
device or distributed across a plurality of computing devices
collectively configured to function as the apparatus 102. In
embodiments wherein the apparatus 102 is embodied as a mobile
terminal 10, the processor 110 may be embodied as or comprise the
processor 20 (shown in FIG. 2). In some example embodiments, the
processor 110 is configured to execute instructions stored in the
memory 112 or otherwise accessible to the processor 110. These
instructions, when executed by the processor 110, may cause the
apparatus 102 to perform one or more of the functionalities of the
apparatus 102 as described herein. As such, whether configured by
hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the
processor 110 may comprise an entity capable of performing
operations according to embodiments of the present invention while
configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 110
is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 110 may
comprise specifically configured hardware for conducting one or
more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another
example, when the processor 110 is embodied as an executor of
instructions, such as may be stored in the memory 112, the
instructions may specifically configure the processor 110 to
perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.
[0038] The memory 112 may comprise, for example, volatile memory,
non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. In this regard,
the memory 112 may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as a single memory,
the memory 112 may comprise a plurality of memories. The plurality
of memories may be embodied on a single computing device or may be
distributed across a plurality of computing devices collectively
configured to function as the apparatus 102. In various example
embodiments, the memory 112 may comprise a hard disk, random access
memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc read only memory
(CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an
optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some
combination thereof. In embodiments wherein the apparatus 102 is
embodied as a mobile terminal 10, the memory 112 may comprise the
volatile memory 40 and/or the non-volatile memory 42 (shown in FIG.
2). The memory 112 may be configured to store information, data,
applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus
102 to carry out various functions in accordance with various
example embodiments. For example, in some example embodiments, the
memory 112 is configured to buffer input data for processing by the
processor 110. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 112 may be
configured to store program instructions for execution by the
processor 110. The memory 112 may store information in the form of
static and/or dynamic information. The stored information may
include, for example, images, content, media content, user data,
application data, and/or the like. This stored information may be
stored and/or used by the UI control circuitry 122 during the
course of performing its functionalities.
[0039] The communication interface 114 may be embodied as any
device or means embodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program
product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on
a computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 112) and executed by a
processing device (e.g., the processor 110), or a combination
thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to
another computing device. In some example embodiments, the
communication interface 114 is at least partially embodied as or
otherwise controlled by the processor 110. In this regard, the
communication interface 114 may be in communication with the
processor 110, such as via a bus. The communication interface 114
may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a
transceiver and/or supporting hardware or software for enabling
communications with one or more remote computing devices. In
embodiments wherein the apparatus 102 is embodied as a mobile
terminal 10, the communication interface 114 may be embodied as or
comprise the transmitter 14 and receiver 16 (shown in FIG. 2). The
communication interface 114 may be configured to receive and/or
transmit data using any protocol that may be used for
communications between computing devices. In this regard, the
communication interface 114 may be configured to receive and/or
transmit data using any protocol that may be used for transmission
of data over a wireless network, wireline network, some combination
thereof, or the like by which the apparatus 102 and one or more
computing devices may be in communication. As an example, the
communication interface 114 may be configured to receive and/or
otherwise access content (e.g., web page content, streaming media
content, and/or the like) over a network from a server or other
content source. The communication interface 114 may additionally be
in communication with the memory 112, user interface 116, and/or UI
control circuitry 122, such as via a bus.
[0040] The user interface 116 may be in communication with the
processor 110 to receive an indication of a user input and/or to
provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user.
As such, the user interface 116 may include, for example, a
keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a
microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. In
some embodiments, a display may refer to display on a screen, on a
wall, on glasses (e.g., near-eye-display), in the air, etc. In
embodiments wherein the apparatus 102 is embodied as a mobile
terminal 10, the user interface 116 may be embodied as or comprise
the display 28 and keypad 30 (shown in FIG. 2). The user interface
116 may be in communication with the memory 112, communication
interface 114, and/or UI control circuitry 122, such as via a
bus.
[0041] The UI control circuitry 122 may be embodied as various
means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product
comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a
computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 112) and executed by a
processing device (e.g., the processor 110), or some combination
thereof and, in some embodiments, is embodied as or otherwise
controlled by the processor 110. In some example embodiments
wherein the UI control circuitry 122 is embodied separately from
the processor 110, the UI control circuitry 122 may be in
communication with the processor 110. The UI control circuitry 122
may further be in communication with one or more of the memory 112,
communication interface 114, or user interface 116, such as via a
bus.
[0042] The UI control circuitry 122 may be configured to receive
user input from a user interface 116, such as a touch display. The
user input or signal may carry positional information indicative of
the user input. In this regard, the position may comprise a
position of the user input in a two-dimensional space, which may be
relative to the surface of the touch display user interface. For
example, the position may comprise a coordinate position relative
to a two-dimensional coordinate system (e.g., an X and Y axis),
such that the position may be determined. Accordingly, the UI
control circuitry 122 may determine a position of the user input
such as for determining a portion of the display to which the user
input correlates.
[0043] The touch display may also be configured to enable the
detection of a hovering gesture input. A hovering gesture input may
comprise a gesture input to the touch display without making
physical contact with a surface of the touch display, such as a
gesture made in a space some distance above/in front of the surface
of the touch display. As an example, the touch display may comprise
a projected capacitive touch display, which may be configured to
enable detection of capacitance of a finger or other input object
by which a gesture may be made without physically contacting a
display surface. As another example, the touch display may be
configured to enable detection of a hovering gesture input through
use of acoustic wave touch sensor technology, electromagnetic touch
sensing technology, near field imaging technology, optical sensing
technology, infrared proximity sensing technology, some combination
thereof, or the like.
[0044] The processor 110 and/or UI control circuitry 122 may be
configured to receive user input and/or an indication of user
input. The user input may indicate a user's desire for the
apparatus 102 to perform a designated function (e.g., run an
application, load a website, move the location of a graphical
representation on a display, etc.). In some embodiments, the
different components and/or abilities of the apparatus 102 may
determine the types of functions able to be performed. Some
examples of gestures are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0045] FIG. 3A illustrates an example user input 250 for an
apparatus 200 with a touch display 208 (e.g., user interface 116).
In the depicted embodiment, a user 205 positions their finger 207
on or near the display, and particularly, on or near a portion 210
of the display. In some embodiments, the portion 210 of the display
may correspond to a pre-determined point that is associated with a
desired function and/or corresponding graphical representation. In
other words, the portion 210 may correlate to a function that can
be performed by the apparatus 200 (e.g., an application). For
example, the portion 210 may correlate to a graphical
representation corresponding to an application that grants access
to the internet. Likewise, the portion 210 may correlate to a
graphical representation corresponding to another function, such as
a media file, document, picture, etc. Thus, by placing a finger 207
on or near the portion 210 (e.g., "touching"), the user 205 is
indicating a desire for the apparatus 200 to perform that related
function (e.g., open the internet, access the linked website,
launch the game application, open the media file, etc.). Based on
the user input detected by the user interface 116, the processor
110 and/or UI control circuitry 122 may respond, causing
performance of the desired function. In some embodiments, a
pro-longed touching input (e.g., a touch input that maintains
contact (or near contact) for a pre-determined amount of time) with
the portion 210 may correspond to a user's desire to reorder and/or
move the corresponding graphical representation on the display
208.
[0046] FIG. 3B illustrates another example user input 255, often
referred to as a "swipe gesture", for an apparatus 200 with a touch
display 208 (e.g., user interface 116). In the depicted embodiment,
a user 205 positions a finger 207 on or near a portion of the
display. The user 205 may slide their finger 207 along the display
208 (e.g., along arrow 215). In some embodiments, a user may slide
their finger in a generally linear direction to define a swipe
gesture. This user input often corresponds to a user's desire to
"scroll" or move the display to show displayed content that may be
currently off the display. Based on the user input detected by the
user interface 116, the processor 110 and/or UI control circuitry
122 may respond (e.g., scrolling the previously un-displayed
content onto the display for the user). Though the above example
details functionality of scrolling being correlated with a "swipe
gesture", such a gesture/input is not limited to functionality
related to scrolling and, in some embodiments, such as some
embodiments of the present invention, the "swipe gesture" may
correspond to any type of functionality. For example, the processor
110 and/or UI control circuitry 122 may be configured to move a
graphical representation on a display in response to receiving a
"swipe gesture," or an input similar to the swipe gesture.
[0047] As indicated above, there are many types of user inputs that
are recognizable by apparatus 102. Some additional known user
inputs include pinching or reverse pinching for zooming out or
zooming in, respectively. Though the above description provides
examples of typical user inputs, embodiments of the present
invention can be utilized with any type of user input. In that same
vein, though the above detailed user inputs are described with
respect to a touch display, embodiments of the present invention
may be utilized with an apparatus 102 that contains designated user
input components, such as buttons or scroll bars.
[0048] As noted herein, in some embodiments, the apparatus 102,
including the processor 110 and/or UI control circuitry 122, may be
configured to perform functionality, such as opening, running,
and/or executing an application, media file, document, picture, or
other function. In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be
configured to display an arrangement of graphical representations
(e.g., icons) that represent functions for which the apparatus 102
is configured to perform functionality for. For example, in some
embodiments, apparatus 102 may be configured to display a
"homescreen" that includes an arrangement of graphical
representations of applications. With reference to FIG. 4, an
example apparatus 300 (e.g., apparatus 102) comprises a display 308
(e.g., user interface 116) that is currently displaying a
homescreen. In the depicted embodiment, the display 308 details
graphical representations 310 that each correspond with an
application (e.g., a notes application, a lock application, etc.).
For example, a calculator graphical representation 311 corresponds
to an application that includes functionality for performing
mathematical calculations. Though the above described "homescreen"
displays an arrangement of graphical representations of
applications, in some embodiments, other graphical representations
may be displayed in an arrangement on a display (e.g., user
interface 116) of the apparatus (e.g., apparatus 102), such as
graphical representations corresponding to documents, media files,
pictures, etc.
[0049] Often apparatuses, such as apparatus 102, have a vast array
of functionality, and as a result, have a large number of graphical
representations that correspond to that functionality. Whether
representing applications, document, media files, pictures, etc.,
the apparatus 102 may be configured to display the graphical
representations in a pre-determined order within an arrangement.
This pre-determined order may define an order based on any type of
criteria (e.g., order in which the corresponding function was
downloaded, alphabetical order, etc.).
[0050] The small form factor of mobile computing devices (e.g.,
apparatus 102), however, limits the number of graphical
representations able to be displayed, which has led to customizable
ordering of the graphical representations on the display. For
instance, apparatuses, such as apparatus 102, are often personally
owned and utilized by a specific user, and to further aid in ease
of use, the user changes the order of the graphical
representations. The result being a personalized ordering of the
graphical representations that is tailored for the specific user.
Such a personalized ordering is useful for a user that may develop
a comfort with the location of certain graphical representations on
the display (e.g., user interface 116). Customizable ordering (or
reordering) to date, however, has been difficult for users, often
resulting in an undesired ordering of the graphical representations
due to errors in placement during the reordering process.
[0051] With limited space on the display and the importance of
positioning for graphical representations, personalization of the
order of the graphical representations is paramount for mobile
computing devices. As such, as indicated above, a user may often
wish to reorder the graphical representations on the display of the
mobile computing device. However, the small size of the graphical
representations (and the display) often leads to errors in
targeting and repositioning of the graphical representations.
[0052] As such, embodiments of the present invention seek to
provide an improved display of graphical representations during
reordering so as to enhance a user's experience and limit potential
for error in the process. For example, the mobile computing device
may be configured to enlarge the size of a selected graphical
representation and shrink the size of surrounding graphical
representations to enable a user to more easily discern the
targeted graphical representation. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the mobile computing device may be configured to
dynamically alter the sizes of graphical representations as the
selected graphical representation is moved across the display
toward its customized position. Further, in some embodiments, the
mobile computing device may be configured to create a space on the
display for easy positioning and placement of the selected
graphical representation, thereby providing a user with a
discernable preview of the final position of the selected graphical
representation.
[0053] Thus, in some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be
configured to enable a user to reorder (e.g., rearrange) the
placement of the graphical representations on the display.
Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may be
configured to cause an improved display of the graphical
representations to aid the user during reordering of the graphical
representations. FIGS. 5, 6, 6A-6C, 7, 7A, and 8 will be referenced
herein for illustration of an example processes of reordering a
graphical representation according to some embodiments of the
present invention. The described embodiments, however, are not
meant to limit embodiments of the present invention and are
provided for explanatory purposes.
[0054] As noted above, in some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may
be configured to cause display of at least one graphical
representation on a user interface 116 (e.g., a display). In some
embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to cause display
of more than one graphical representation in an arrangement.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be
configured to display the graphical representations in an order
(e.g., a pre-determined order). For example, FIG. 5 shows an
apparatus 400 with a display 408. The display 408 details 16
graphical representations 410, labeled "A"-"T", respectively. These
graphical representations are displayed in a 5.times.4 arrangement
(e.g., 5 rows 412 and 4 columns 414). Additionally, the graphical
representations 410 are displayed in alphabetical order from left
to right and top to bottom. As noted above, the graphical
representations may correspond to certain functionality of the
apparatus, such as applications, documents, media files, pictures,
etc.
[0055] Often a user may wish to reorder the graphical
representations on the display of the apparatus. As such, in some
embodiments, a user may perform a user input (e.g., a pro-longed
touch input) directed toward at least one of the graphical
representations shown on the display of the apparatus 102. Such a
user input may indicate the user's desire to reorder and/or move
the targeted graphical representation on the display of the
apparatus 102. For example, with reference to FIG. 6, a user 450,
with their finger 457, provides input (e.g., a pro-longed touch
input) directed at a first graphical representation ("G") 425,
among an arrangement of graphical representations 410. Such an
input may indicate the user's desire to move the first graphical
representation ("G") 425 from a first position 421 to a second
position 422 on the display 408. Though a pro-longed touch input is
referenced above for indicating a desire to reorder and/or move the
targeted graphical representation, in some embodiments, other
inputs may be used.
[0056] As noted above, embodiments of the present invention provide
improved display of graphical representations to aid a user in
reordering the graphical representations. Considering the often
small size of the display and correspondingly small size of each
graphical representation, it may be difficult to accurately target
and/or reposition graphical representations on the display. As
such, in some embodiments, in response to receiving the user input
that indicates a user's desire to reorder and/or move a graphical
representation, the apparatus 102 may be configured to cause the
display of at least one of the graphical representations to be
altered, such as to aid in the reordering of the graphical
representations. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate some example alterations of
graphical representations according to some embodiments of the
present invention. Though these example embodiments detail specific
alterations and/or combination of alterations, embodiments of the
present invention are not meant to be limited to the below
described alterations, or combination of alternations, and may
include any type of alteration (or combination of alterations).
[0057] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
cause enlargement in size of at least one graphical representation
in response to receiving the user input. In some embodiments, the
apparatus 102 may be configured to cause enlargement in size of the
first graphical representation (e.g., selected graphical
representation). For example, with reference to FIG. 6A, the first
graphical representation ("G") 425 has been enlarged in size in
comparison to its original size (shown in FIG. 5). Such enlarged
size enables a user to more easily determine if the correct
graphical representation was selected/targeted. Moreover, such
enlargement enables easier manipulation (e.g., movement, dragging,
etc.) of the first graphical representation, as will be described
in greater detail herein.
[0058] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured
cause reduction in size of at least one graphical representation in
response to receiving the user input. In some embodiments, the
apparatus 102 may be configured to cause reduction in size of at
least one second graphical representation (e.g., a graphical
representation other than the first graphical representation). In
some embodiments, the at least one second graphical representation
may be displayed adjacent to the first graphical representation. As
used herein, "adjacent" may refer to a graphical representation
being displayed as a neighboring graphical representation, such as
within one row or one column of another graphical representation
(or space or position, such as the second position shown in FIG. 7A
and described in greater detail herein), and may not be limited to
graphical representations that contact each other directly. For
example, with reference to FIG. 5, graphical representations
"B"-"D", "F", "H", and "J"-"L" may each be considered adjacent to
graphical representation "G". Though in the above described example
display adjacency of graphical representations is defined as
neighboring rows and/or columns, other types of displays are
contemplated for embodiments of the present invention (e.g., a
circular display, a scattered display, etc.) and, thus, the
determination of adjacency of graphical representations is not
meant to be limited to row and/or column distinctions.
[0059] FIG. 6A illustrates and example embodiment where graphical
representations "B"-"D", "F", "H", and "J"-"L" 427 have been
reduced in size from their original size (shown in FIG. 5). In the
depicted embodiment, graphical representations "B"-"D", "F", "H",
and "J"-"L" are displayed adjacent to the first graphical
representation "G" 425. Such reduction in size of these second
graphical representations 427 provides additional space for the
newly enlarged first graphical representation 425. Additionally,
the reduction in size further accentuates the first graphical
representation 425 to the user.
[0060] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
selectively reduce in size at least one second graphical
representation such that not all of the currently displayed
graphical representations may be reduced in size. In particular, in
some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to determine
which graphical representations to reduce in size. In some
embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to reduce in size
the graphical representations that are displayed within a
pre-determined distance (e.g., within a minimum threshold) from the
first graphical representation (e.g., the graphical representation
selected by the user). For example, with reference to FIG. 6A, the
apparatus 400 has caused reduction in size in only the graphical
representations "B"-"D", "F", "H", and "J"-"K" 427 that are
directly adjacent to the first graphical representation "G" 425. As
such, the remaining graphical representations "A", "E", "I", and
"M"-"T" 417 have remained the size they were originally displayed
as (shown in FIG. 5). Though the above description details a
minimum threshold distance of being adjacent to the first graphical
representation, other distances may be used by embodiments of the
present invention.
[0061] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
determine the amount of reduction to cause to the size of the
graphical representation. In some embodiments, the amount of
reduction of the size of the graphical representation may be based
on a characteristic of the graphical representation to be reduced.
For example, in some embodiments, the amount of reduction in size
of the graphical representation may be proportional to the distance
the graphical representation is away from the first (e.g.,
selected) graphical representation. In some embodiments, the
apparatus 102 may be configured to cause reduction in the size of
at least one graphical representation in an amount based at least
in part on the proportional distance on the display from the
graphical representation to the first graphical representation
(e.g., the selected graphical representation). For example, with
reference to FIG. 6B, once the user 450 selects the first graphical
representation "G" 425, the apparatus 400 may cause a first
reduction in the size (e.g., slight reduction) of the graphical
representations "B"-"D", "F", "H", and "J"-"K" 445, which are
directly adjacent to the first graphical representation "G" 425.
Additionally, the apparatus 400 may cause a second reduction in the
size (e.g., a larger reduction) of the graphical representations
"A", "E", "I", and "N"-"P" 435, which are a row or column removed
from the graphical representations 445 that are directly adjacent
to the first graphical representation "G" 425. Thus, the graphical
representations 435 that received a larger reduction are further
away in distance on the display from the first graphical
representation "G" 425 than the graphical representations 445 that
received a slight reduction, which are directly adjacent to the
first graphical representation 415. Additionally, as noted herein,
some of the graphical representations 417 may not be reduced in
size from their original size, as they fall outside of the minimum
threshold distance away from the first graphical representation "G"
425. Advantages of such an improved display allow for a user to
more easily focus on the most likely graphical representations to
be affected by any reordering (e.g., the graphical representations
closest to the selected graphical representation).
[0062] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
cause reduction in the size of at least one graphical
representation in an amount based at least in part on the inverse
proportional distance on the display from the graphical
representation to the first graphical representation (e.g., the
selected graphical representation). For example, with reference to
FIG. 6C, once the user 450 selects the first graphical
representation "G" 425, the apparatus 400 may cause a first
reduction in the size (e.g., large reduction) of the graphical
representations "B"-"D", "F", "H", and "J"-"K" 445', which are
directly adjacent to the first graphical representation "G" 425.
Additionally, the apparatus 400 may cause a second reduction in the
size (e.g., a slight reduction) of the graphical representations
"A", "E", "I", and "N"-"P" 435', which are a row or column removed
from the graphical representations 445' that are directly adjacent
to the first graphical representation "G" 425. Thus, the graphical
representations 435' that received a slight reduction are further
away in distance on the display from the first graphical
representation "G" 425 than the graphical representations 445' that
received a larger reduction, which are directly adjacent to the
first graphical representation 425. Additionally, as with FIG. 6B,
some of the graphical representations 417 may not be reduced in
size from their original size, as they fall outside of the minimum
threshold distance away from the first graphical representation "G"
425. Advantages of such an improved display allow for a user to
more easily focus on the selected graphical representation and the
corresponding position of the selected graphical representation,
which will be described in greater detail herein.
[0063] Accurate movement and positioning of the first (e.g.,
selected) graphical representation can be difficult for a user. In
particular, a user may be unsure of exactly where the selected
graphical representation will be positioned upon completion of the
move (e.g., release of the user input). As such, embodiments of the
present invention seek to improve display of the arrangement of the
graphical representations during movement and positioning of the
selected graphical representation.
[0064] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
receive a second user input indicating a desire to move the first
graphical representation on the display. An example user input can
be a drag or swipe gesture (shown in FIG. 3B), such as starting at
one point on the display and ending at another point. As such, in
some embodiments, the second user input may indicate a desired
change in position of the first graphical representation from a
first position to a second position. For example, with reference to
FIG. 7, a user 450 may perform user input (e.g., a drag/swipe
gesture) with their finger 457 on the display 408. The user input
may indicate a desired change in the displayed location of the
first graphical representation "G" 425 from a first position 421 to
a second position 422 (such as along arrow 467).
[0065] In some embodiments, in response to receiving the second
user input, the apparatus 102 may be configured to cause the first
graphical representation to move on the display from the first
position to the second position. In some embodiments, the apparatus
102 may be configured to cause the first graphical representation
to move from the first position to the second position with the
user input. For example, in FIG. 7, the first graphical
representation "G" 425 has been moved from the first position 421
toward the second position 422 with the user's finger 457 (e.g.,
along arrow 467).
[0066] To further aid in accurate placement of the first (e.g.,
selected) graphical representation, in some embodiments, the
apparatus 102 may be configured to alter the displayed order of the
graphical representations to provide a "preview" of the potential
new order of graphical representations (e.g., once the moving of
the first graphical representation would be finalized). In some
embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to cause at least
one third graphical representation to move on the display. For
example, the apparatus 102 may cause graphical representations to
fill in positions left vacant by movement of other graphical
representations (such as the now moved first graphical
representation). Such filling in can be performed in an order based
on the previous order. For example, with reference to FIG. 7,
graphical representation "H" 473 may be moved to replace the
previous position (e.g., the first position 421) of the first
graphical representation 425. Then, graphical representation "I"
474 may be moved to fill the position that graphical representation
"H" 473 left vacant. This process may continue until vacancy in the
second position 425 is reached, such that the position previously
filled by graphical representation "O" 472 (e.g., the second
position 422) is now vacant and ready to receive the first
graphical representation "G" 425.
[0067] As used herein, though example descriptions detail a third
graphical representation, in some embodiments, the third graphical
representation may be a second graphical representation for
purposes of previous descriptive embodiments. For example,
graphical representation "K" underwent a reduction in size (e.g.,
acted as a second graphical representation, shown in FIG. 6C) and
underwent movement (e.g., acted as a third graphical
representation, shown in FIG. 7).
[0068] Additionally, in some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be
configured to cause at least one third graphical representation to
move on the display such that a space on the display appears where
the first (e.g., selected) graphical representation is set to move
to (e.g., the second position). In some embodiments, the apparatus
102 may be configured to move at least one of the at least one of
the third graphical representations on the display out of the
second position. Thus, the third graphical representation that
moves out of the second position creates a space (e.g., void),
thereby enabling visual identification by the user of the future
placement of the first (e.g., selected) graphical representation.
For example, FIG. 7 shows a space 465 defined between graphical
representations "K"-"M", "O", "P", and "R"-"T". The space 465 was
created by movement of graphical representation "O" 472 (e.g., a
third graphical representation) out of the second position 422,
which may occur as the first graphical representation "G" 425 is
moved toward the second position 422.
[0069] In some embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
alter the display of the graphical representations upon movement of
the first graphical representation. In some embodiments, the
apparatus 102 may be configured to cause alteration of (e.g.,
reduce, enlarge, etc.) the size of the at least one third graphical
representation. Such altering of the displayed third graphical
representations may be similar to that of the second graphical
representations that were altered upon the first (e.g., initial)
user input (shown in FIG. 6). Thus, the same alteration rules and
embodiments (e.g., enlargement, reduction, amount of reduction,
etc.) may be applied to the third graphical representations. For
example, with reference to FIG. 7, once the user 450 moves the
first graphical representation "G" 425 toward the second position
422, the apparatus 400 may cause an alteration in the size of the
graphical representations "K"-"M", "O", "P", and "R"-"T" 445'',
which are directly adjacent to the second position 422, such that
they become a first reduced size (e.g., smallest reduced size) in
comparison to the first graphical representation "G" 425. Such
alteration may be different (or, in some cases, non-existent) for
each affected third graphical representation, as the size of each
graphical representation may vary depending upon previous
alterations by the apparatus. For example, graphical representation
"L" may not change in size at all, as it was already reduced to its
current size during the reduction performed in response to the
first (e.g., initial) user input (shown in FIG. 6C). On the other
hand, graphical representation "S" may be reduced, as it was not
previously reduced in response to the first (e.g., initial) user
input (shown in FIG. 6C).
[0070] Additionally, the apparatus 400 may cause a second
alteration in the size of the graphical representations "E"-"I",
"J", "N", and "Q" 435'', which are a row or column further removed
from the second position 422, such that they become a second
reduced size (e.g., a slightly reduced size) in comparison to the
first graphical representation "G" 425. Further, the apparatus 400
may cause a third alteration in the size of the graphical
representations "A"-"D" 417', which are outside of the minimum
threshold distance from the second position 422, such that they
become the original size (such as shown in FIG. 5). As noted above,
in some circumstances, any of the above described alterations may
not require any alteration (e.g., change) in the size of a specific
graphical representation. In such circumstances, the graphical
representation may already define a size that is equivalent to the
target size, such that no alteration needs to be performed (e.g.,
see the example of graphical representation "L" above).
[0071] Such alteration to the size of the third graphical
representations enables the size of the space (e.g., the void in
the second position) to be enlarged such that is more discernable
by the user (e.g., provides a larger target for easy placement of
the first graphical representation). Additionally, the enlarged
space enables a user to place the first graphical representation
within a larger space, but still result in the desired positioning
of the first graphical representation (e.g., allow for greater
error in the user placement). In some embodiments, the alterations
of the third graphical representations may cause the space to
define a size at least as large as the first (e.g., selected)
graphical representation. For example, with reference to FIG. 7A,
the first graphical representation "G" 425 is shown, in its
expanded state, completely within the space 465. Advantages of such
an improved display allow for a user to more easily perform
placement and positioning of the first (selected) graphical
representation on the display.
[0072] Though the depicted embodiments illustrate a change in the
display of the graphical representations after movement of the
first graphical representation to the second position, in some
embodiments, the apparatus 102 may be configured to alter display
of the graphical representations as the first graphical
representation is moved across the display (e.g., the second
position is defined by the current location of the first graphical
representation and, thus, the second position changes as the user
input changes).
[0073] Once the user completes the second user input (e.g.,
drag/swipe gesture) such that the first graphical representation
has been moved from the first position to the second position, the
user may release the first (selected) graphical representation for
positioning within the arrangement of the graphical representations
on the display. In response to the user releasing the first
graphical representation, the apparatus 102 may be configured to
cause the graphical representations to return to their original
sizes. For example, with reference to FIG. 8, the first graphical
representation "G" 425 has been reduced from the enlarged size to
the original size. Likewise, the remaining graphical
representations "A"-"F" and "H"-"T" have been returned to their
original size. Additionally, the order of the graphical
representations accurately reflects the movement of the first
graphical representation "G" from the first position 421 to the
second position 422.
[0074] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods,
apparatus and computer program products for improved display of
graphical representations during reordering. Various examples of
the operations performed in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention will now be provided with reference to FIGS.
9-10.
[0075] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart according to an example
method for improved display of graphical representations during
reordering according to an example embodiment 500. The operations
illustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 9 may, for
example, be performed by, with the assistance of, and/or under the
control of one or more of the processor 110, memory 112,
communication interface 114, user interface 116, or UI control
circuitry 122. Operation 502 may comprise receiving user input
directed at a first graphical representation on a display. The
processor 110, user interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry 122
may, for example, provide means for performing operation 502.
Operation 504 may comprise causing enlargement in size of the first
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the user input. The processor 110, user interface 116, and/or UI
control circuitry 122 may, for example, provide means for
performing operation 504. Operation 506 may comprise causing
reduction in size of at least one second graphical representation
on the display in response to receiving the user input with at
least one of the second graphical representations being adjacent to
the first graphical representation. The processor 110, user
interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry 122 may, for example,
provide means for performing operation 506.
[0076] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart according to an example
method for improved display of graphical representations during
reordering according to an example embodiment 600. The operations
illustrated in and described with respect to FIG. 10 may, for
example, be performed by, with the assistance of, and/or under the
control of one or more of the processor 110, memory 112,
communication interface 114, user interface 116, or UI control
circuitry 122. Operation 602 may comprise receiving user input
directed at a first graphical representation on a display. The
processor 110, user interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry 122
may, for example, provide means for performing operation 602.
Operation 604 may comprise causing enlargement in size of the first
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the first user input. The processor 110, user interface 116, and/or
UI control circuitry 122 may, for example, provide means for
performing operation 604. Operation 606 may comprise causing
reduction in size of at least one second graphical representation
on the display in response to receiving the first user input with
at least one of the second graphical representations being adjacent
to the first graphical representation. The processor 110, user
interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry 122 may, for example,
provide means for performing operation 606.
[0077] Operation 608 may comprise receiving second user input
indicating a desire to move the first graphical representation on
the display from a first position to a second position. The
processor 110, user interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry 122
may, for example, provide means for performing operation 608.
Operation 610 may comprise causing the first graphical
representation to move on the display from the first position to
the second position in response to receiving the second user input.
The processor 110, user interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry
122 may, for example, provide means for performing operation 610.
Operation 612 may comprise causing at least one third graphical
representation to move on the display in response to receiving the
second user input such that a space on the display appears in the
second position with the space defining a size at least as large as
the first graphical representation. The processor 110, user
interface 116, and/or UI control circuitry 122 may, for example,
provide means for performing operation 612. Operation 614 may
comprise causing alteration of the size of at least one third
graphical representation on the display in response to receiving
the second user input with at least one of the third graphical
representations being adjacent to the first graphical
representation. The processor 110, user interface 116, and/or UI
control circuitry 122 may, for example, provide means for
performing operation 614.
[0078] FIGS. 9-10 each illustrate a flowchart of a system, method,
and computer program product according to an example embodiment. It
will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and
combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by
various means, such as hardware and/or a computer program product
comprising one or more computer-readable mediums having computer
readable program instructions stored thereon. For example, one or
more of the procedures described herein may be embodied by computer
program instructions of a computer program product. In this regard,
the computer program product(s) which embody the procedures
described herein may be stored by one or more memory devices of a
mobile terminal, server, or other computing device (for example, in
the memory 112) and executed by a processor in the computing device
(for example, by the processor 110). In some embodiments, the
computer program instructions comprising the computer program
product(s) which embody the procedures described above may be
stored by memory devices of a plurality of computing devices. As
will be appreciated, any such computer program product may be
loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for
example, an apparatus 102) to produce a machine, such that the
computer program product including the instructions which execute
on the computer or other programmable apparatus creates means for
implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).
Further, the computer program product may comprise one or more
computer-readable memories on which the computer program
instructions may be stored such that the one or more
computer-readable memories can direct a computer or other
programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such
that the computer program product comprises an article of
manufacture which implements the function specified in the
flowchart block(s). The computer program instructions of one or
more computer program products may also be loaded onto a computer
or other programmable apparatus (for example, an apparatus 102) to
cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or
other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented
process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or
other programmable apparatus implement the functions specified in
the flowchart block(s).
[0079] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations
of means for performing the specified functions. It will also be
understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and
combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the
specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware
and computer program product(s).
[0080] The above described functions may be carried out in many
ways. For example, any suitable means for carrying out each of the
functions described above may be employed to carry out embodiments
of the invention. In one embodiment, a suitably configured
processor (for example, the processor 110) may provide all or a
portion of the elements. In another embodiment, all or a portion of
the elements may be configured by and operate under control of a
computer program product. The computer program product for
performing the methods of an example embodiment of the invention
includes a computer-readable storage medium (for example, the
memory 112), such as the non-volatile storage medium, and
computer-readable program code portions, such as a series of
computer instructions, embodied in the computer-readable storage
medium.
[0081] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of
the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended
to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover,
although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings
describe example embodiments in the context of certain example
combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated
that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be
provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the
scope of the invention. In this regard, for example, different
combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly
described above are also contemplated within the scope of the
invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are
used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes
of limitation.
* * * * *